Deep beneath the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, archaeologists and local authorities have announced the restoration of what they believe to be humanity’s earliest known mental health facility. The Aya Maryeros Underground Monastery in Derinkuyu, dating back to the 4th century AD, served dual purposes as both a religious sanctuary and a pioneering psychiatric treatment center during the Byzantine era. This extraordinary discovery promises to revolutionize our understanding of ancient medical practices and mental health care in the early Christian world.
Located in the Cumhuriyet district of Derinkuyu, Nevsehir province, this underground complex was initially identified in the 1990s beneath a neglected building that had been used as a waste site for decades. The Derinkuyu District Governor’s Office and municipality have now launched an ambitious restoration project to transform the site into a museum, recognizing its profound historical significance. According to Türkiye Today, the complex features the characteristic tunnels, living quarters, storage rooms, and rock-carved galleries that define Cappadocia’s famous underground cities.
